Courting Alex Foster

robbsilv33 made note at the Insider Sparta basketball message board of one Alex Foster having tripped to SJSU.

Nobody comes from as far as Chicago unless the Spartan coaching staff is serious and ready to offer but this 6-foot-8 young man has a very interesting recruitment background.

Foster originally signed with Minnesota and Coach Tubby Smith back in November 2012 (here's an article on that) but Smith was let go (he's now the head coach at Texas Tech) and eventually replaced by Richard Pitino, the son of you-know-who, and Pitino wasn't interested in retaining Foster's services -- "According to Gopher Illustrated, Foster received a call from “an assistant” said to be Kimani Young, who told the Chicago native that Minnesota plans to move in a different direction..."

So the young man went back into the recruiting barrel.

Below are snippets from various Foster features:

“Alex Foster is a young man that can play both forward positions,” said Tubby Smith. “He is a lefty that has an all-around game - the ability to put the ball on the floor at his size, shoot with range and has a very good basketball I.Q.”

An honor roll student all three years at De La Salle...

and

ESPN
4/17/2013

Strengths:
This long and athletic forward has a good basketball body for such a young player. He slithers between defenders for nice finishes or drawing fouls. Foster also displayed the ability to rebound with authority in a crowd. He runs the floor very well and is quick to the ball. Foster has developing good hands and makes plays with his consistent effort.

Weaknesses:
He has a funny release on his shot especially from the free throw line. His form is not bad but he releases his guide hand too soon which at times moves his shot off line. This young lefty is raw and must continue to work to develop his overall skills and at times seems to still finding his way but the talent and potential are very evident.

Bottom Line:
Alex is a lefty post player that is smooth and talented. He is a little raw right now but is developing a face-up basket game...

Foster had completed an official visit with Smith at Texas Tech but curiously didn't re-commit to who was going to be his college coach.

It also looks like he has tripped to Rhode Island.

Now SJSU.

Below is video of Foster: